Childhood Sex Abuse
...Social Problems 203
Dr. James Knapp
November 17, 2008
Childhood Sex Abuse 2
Abstract
Childhood is thought to be era of development and playfulness. Most humans have been
victims of child abuse, there are three forms of child abuse; physical, emotional, and sexual.
Sex abuse is such an epidemic of great proportion that all children are at risk. It is common
belief among researchers that sex abuse is the most detrimental of the three. Children are
abused by loved ones, friends, family, teachers, and those that maybe placed in a position of
care giver. They can also be abused, by someone they hardly know at all, to a complete stranger.
Children of all ages are at risk and vulnerable to sexual abuse whether, in their home,
community, or on the internet.
.
Childhood Sex Abuse 3
Childhood sex abuse has existed since there have been humans. In 1857 noted French pathologist, Auguste Ambrose Tardieu wrote Medical Legal Studies of Sexual Assault, which is the first noted study of any type of sex abuse. Studies of childhood sex abuse were nonexistent until 1920’s; in 1948 there were actual cases published and studied. The 1970’s, surfaced modern time recognition of this heinous crime against children, prior to this era, childhood sex abuse was kept secretive and was not openly discussed among society members. Unfortunately as of 2007, sex abuse among children is common, 80,000 reported cases a year that is 227 cases a day. (Kliest, 2001)
Childhood sex abuse does not carry a common definition; the main ideology is an adult in the dominant position that is used to coerce a child into a sexual compromise. Sex abuse of children can be commonly defined as fondling, masturbation, oral-genital contact, digital penetration, and vaginal/or anal intercourse. This...
View Full Essay
